August 8, 1861

                                                                                           Camp Tenally,
                                                                                           August 8th, 1861

Dear Father:-

                We left Washington City last Monday and passing through Georgetown, we encamped at this place about two miles from the Potomac, about half way from Washington to the “Point of Rocks.”[i]
                Yesterday morning  about three o’clock we were roused from our beds by the “long roll,” an immediate call to arms. The report was that the Rebels were about to make an attack as they had been firing on our picquets during the night. Our regiment was sent about eight miles up the Potomac in order to prevent them from flanking us. We had a wearisome march through the hot sun and were stationed at our destination until about four o’clock when we marched back to our camp. When we were called out to march we did not know where we were going or what for, but we suspected were going into action as we had to take forty rounds of ammunition with us. We are now formed into a Brigade under Genl. [George A. ] McCall. There are a number of regiments around us, all Pennsylvanians. There is evidently some movement contemplated as last night we were ordered to hold ourselves in readiness to rush to arms at the “long roll” of the drum.
                About four this morning [we] were called up and formed into line and orders were given that every man be ready to march at a moment’s warning. Quite an amount of artillery went by us about daybreak this morning and just now I have dropped my pencil to go and look at a body of cavalry that is going by. As I said before none of us know where they are going or where we may be sent, not even the Captains of the companies. I suppose the Colonels know where their regiments are going, but they alone.
                Last Monday when we marched from Washington, the thermometer varied from 95 to 100 degrees Fah. It certainly was the hottest day I ever felt. Many poor fellows fell exhausted by the excessive heat and dust which rose like a cloud. We had our cartridge boxes, knapsacks, blankets, Haversacks with a loaf of bread in them, canteens each weighing four pounds when filled with water, and our muskets to carry all the way and it was not strange that we should become wearied.
                Three of the regiment fell with “coup d’soleil” or sunstroke. They have since recovered however. I stood the march first-rate, as also our company, there being more of them in line than any other company except perhaps one.
                Mr. Green, the Chaplain, walked along with the regiment all the way, ministering to the wants of the sick and thirsty soldiers. He is esteemed by every man in the regiment.
                We were paid off last week, receiving $13.56 per man. Some of the companies received more as they had been in camp longer than we had. Our pay came from the State, the next we will get from the Government.
                Genl. McClellan was in our camp a few minutes ago. He is a fine-looking man.
                It is rumored that the Rebels are about to attack Washington, having concentrated their forces, but camp rumors are not to be depended on. The Rockland boys are all well, but some of them wish they were home again for they are somewhat homesick. The romantic sport of long marches and heavy muskets is about played out with them. If you could see Dave Lovell’s long face you would certainly laugh. I have not had the blues at all yet as I have made up my mind to take everything as it comes and make the best of it. In the language of the popular ballad, “Let this world jog along, jog along as it will, I‘ll be gay and happy still.”[ii]
                For the present I must close. Write to me every week.

                                                       J. D. C.

 Next posting:  August 25, 2011

Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA 16335

 

[i] For the location of Camp Tennally, see https://www.satelliteviews.net/cgi-bin/g.cgi?fid=530289&state=DC&ftype=locale

[ii] The ballad by Clara Butler was entitled “Gay and Happy.”